Daily Devotion: A Reflection of Jesus

Scripture:
1 Timothy 3: 1-16

Main Verses:
1 Timothy 3: 15
If I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

Observation:
Paul gave Timothy some specific descriptions of how overseers, deacons, and their wives ought to behave. Paul was specifically talking about leaders serving in church, but I believe that we are in one way or another leaders in church because there will always be someone younger than us, both physically and spiritually. And because we are leaders, we are representing the Lord. We are representing the entire body of Christ, which is the church. Therefore, Paul is urging us to behave according to the directions and rules of God. Secondly, as church, God's presence dwells in us. In the Old Testament, God remained in a particular location, and the Israelites would exclaim that the Lord is in that place. But all of that changed in the New Testament when the Holy Spirit dwelt within the church, that is, within each individual believer. The Lord has chosen to dwell among his people. Lastly, as church, we are guardians of God's Word. We are to preserve and proclaim God's Word. We should defend it against false teaching. We should pass it on to our children, and our children's children, and to the generations to come. 

Application:
Who is Jesus to you? If you truly consider Him your Lord, your words and conduct should always reflect who He is in your life because people look up to you. It is not just our responsibility to represent Jesus in every way. It is a privilege! Can you believe that the Lord our Almighty God and Father's presence has chosen to dwell in us and in His Church, which is the body of Christ? Therefore, if we consider this a privilege, we should live according to who Christ is in our lives. If we consider this a privilege, we should always think of ways we can serve the Lord, including His church, the body of believers. It should not be the other way around, not "What can the church do for me?" Our purpose now that the Lord's presence dwells in us is to glorify the Lord in everything that we do. Let us always remember that our lives are a reflection of Jesus. Of course, our lives are a work in progress, and we mess up sometimes, but the Lord is not yet finished in refining us. We must let Jesus completely take over lives and be persistent in our desire to imitate Him.

Prayer:
Lord, it is indeed a privilege to know that your Spirit dwells in us. Thank you for this entitlement. I was unworthy, but because of your love, mercy, and grace, you have given me an opportunity to know you. You have chosen to reveal Yourself to me. I pray, my Lord, that I may always be worthy of your presence in my life. May I always conduct myself in a noble and desirable manner, and may I be able to serve you honestly and truthfully. May others always see in me your glory, so they may also come to honor, worship, and serve You. All these I pray in Your Most Blessed Name. AMEN.